Page 78 of Keeping You

“My friends are the family I’ve chosen. They’ve supported me for years. They are the ones who have been in my corner when you haven’t. They are the ones I’ve called after particularly shitty days in the ER when I’ve lost children or I’ve seen a woman come in with her spirit broken after she’s been raped. When I’ve been sick or needed a pick me up, they are the ones I’ve turned to, because I’ve learned that I can’t rely on you. You continuously taught me that unless I fit into this prefect little mould, you wouldn’t support me. Well, Mom. I’ve finally learned that lesson, and I think I’m better for it. I’m done. I don’t want this relationship anymore. I’d rather have Dad and my chosen family than someone as superficial as you. So tonight, when I leave with my husband, know that will be the last time you’ll see us. You’ve lost me.”

I’m beaming with pride as I watch Hannah speak her mind. My Spitfire has finally stood up to the one person she’s been so timid with. I walk up to Hannah and kiss her cheek before takingher hand and leading her to the backyard so we can say our goodbyes. Neither of us say a word to Lauren as we walk past.

CHAPTER 28

Hannah

When we walk in the front door, I’m still vibrating with energy after the confrontation with my mother. Seeing Grayson come for me, knowing the type of relationship I have with her and his subtle nod as he leaned against the doorway, gave me a strength I didn’t know I had. I knew in that moment that no matter what happened, Grayson was there and he’d stand by me.

I follow Grayson into the bedroom, where he perches on the edge of the bed and pulls at his tie. My eyes nearly popped out of my head when I saw him for the first time tonight. He’s wearing a suit that fits him perfectly. It’s practically sculpted to his ass the way it clings to it, leaving nothing to the imagination. The way his pants fit his legs, it’s obvious he plays hockey. His white shirt pulled just enough over his chest and stomach for you to know he’s fit without being able to count his abs under it. Six, by the way. He has a very defined six-pack, which I’m currently thinking about licking ice cream off of.

He takes the tie off and tosses it to the chair in the corner before he begins working on the buttons of his shirt. I stepbetween his legs and stop his hands. He looks up at me, a tired look on his face. This man worked a twelve-hour overnight shift and then came home and napped before getting up and going to a party at my mother’s so I didn’t have to go alone. He convinced me to really make the party for us and invite our friends and my dad. A lump forms in my throat.

I take over, slowly making my way down the buttons. I help him slip out of the suit jacket and then his shirt. I kneel on the ground before him and undo his shoes before slipping them off, followed by his socks. I reach for his belt, undoing it before dragging his pants down his legs and leaving them with the rest of his clothes on the chair.

I stand and run my fingers through his hair, and he leans into my touch. I continue scratching at his scalp, and his arms wrap around my waist, pulling me in close as his head rests on my stomach. His content sigh dusts over my stomach.

He looks up at me, resting his chin on my stomach. “I’m proud of you,” he says, and it hits me like a bullet. I didn’t know how much I needed to hear those words. My dad’s said them to me, and I know he means them, but I needed someone else to say them and mean them. The sincerity in Grayson’s eyes tells me just how much he means it.

I tip my head back, trying not to cry and losing the battle. Now Grayson helps me out of my dress. His hands find the zipper at the back and slowly pulls it down. The cool air hitting my newly exposed skin causes goosebumps to erupt. The thin straps on my shoulders slip down my arms, and the dress pools at my feet. I step out of it, and he slips to the floor and deftly undoes the straps of my heels before I step out of them.

He stands and pulls the blankets back and nods at me. I climb in, scooting to the middle, and he follows behind me, pulling me into his chest. His lips brush the top of my head before his fingers run through my hair. We don’t speak. We’recontent in the silence and each other’s company, and it hits me like a ton of bricks. This right here, comfortable silence with someone, being able to pull strength from the presence of someone, that’s what I’ve always wanted. That soul-consuming, life-altering love I promised myself I’d search for; I have it.

I’m head over heels, madly in love with my husband. I love Grayson Maxwell.

The stress of the day and the realization have my dams breaking. Tears stream down my face as Grayson holds me tighter, kissing the top of my head. He knows me well enough that he doesn’t push or ask questions, he just lets me feel.

I fall asleep wrapped in the arms of my husband, the one man I never thought I’d fall in love with.

I’m distant with Grayson for the next few days. I don’t know what to do with this new realization. How the hell am I supposed to act? Am I supposed to just blurt the words out and hope he says them back? Do I want him to say them back? My mind is a complete jumble. Luckily, we have our group camping trip this weekend, so I use packing to distract me.

It’s almost a five-hour drive to Osoyoos. We leave mid-morning, so we’re there for the 4 p.m. check-in time. I stare out the window the entire drive. At one point, Grayson’s hand finds my upper thigh and stays there for the rest of the drive. I try hard to hide my grin. I love when he touches me. I think I must be weird, because I think I might prefer his nonsexual touches, the ones that feel like he just can’t survive another second without touching me.

At the campsite, we all set up. Baby Cate is passed around as Liv helps Josh get their tent set up despite his protest thathe can do it himself. I walk up to Zoey and take Cate from her, instinctively bouncing as soon as I have her.

I boop her nose and she starts giggling, and I can’t hold back my grin. I watch Grayson walk past me and sit as far as away from me as he can get. It’s like his mood has done a complete one eighty. I continue playing with Cate before handing her back to Liv for her feeding. I make my way over to Grayson, taking a seat next to him.

“You okay?” I ask.

He nods, but I can feel the tension radiating off him.

I rub a hand up his arm. “You can talk to me.”

He looks at me, and his hand covers mine. He stares at our hands, his thumb rubbing gently over mine. “Thanks.” His word come out so low I almost don’t hear it.

We spend the rest of the day between the water and lounging on towels, enjoying the sun. The guys talk sports, and the girls read. We all fit in nicely. Being here with everyone relaxing and taking time away from our jobs to be with each other makes my words to my mom really sink in. I was right. These people here are my chosen family. These are the people I want in my life.

At dinner, we convince the guys to listen to an audiobook like we did during our last trip. I’m surprised Grayson doesn’t make a fuss like he did last year, though. He sits and listens intently to the story. It’s only when everyone around the fire starts yawning do we turn in for the night.

We’re relaxing by the water after lunch when my phone rings, and a number I don’t recognize flashes across my screen. I grab it and step away from the group and answer it.

“Hello?”

“Hannah,” Melanie’s voice comes through. “Please don’t let Grayson know it’s me.” She takes a deep breath, and worry fills me. My head swings around, making sure no one followed me or is nearby.

“Is everything okay?”

“No.” Her voice cracks. “I need your help. I’m going to call Grayson as soon as I get off the phone with you, but I need someone to be with him when I call him. He’s going to need you.” She releases a long breath that holds so much pain and worry. “Randy’s in the hospital. He had a heart attack, they think. Grayson’s going to want to come here as soon as we get off the phone, and I know there’s no stopping him. He’s stubborn, I know. But can you please come with him?”

---